ISSN:
0021-9541
Keywords:
Life and Medical Sciences
;
Cell & Developmental Biology
Source:
Wiley InterScience Backfile Collection 1832-2000
Topics:
Biology
,
Medicine
Notes:
Previously we reported that cultured human fibroblasts depleted of intracellular potassium (K+) had a reduced number of surface coated pits and were unable to internalize receptor-bound molecules such as low density lipoprotein (LDL). We have extended these studies in two important ways. First, we have developed a method for modulating the number of coated pits in situ. Human fibroblasts incubated in K+-free buffer that contains 4μm nigericin rapidly become depleted of K+ and lose the ability to internalize 125I-LDL. When rat livers are perfused with the same buffer, there is a 75% decrease in the number of surface coated pits in hepatocytes. Secondly, we have explored the possibility that K+-depletion effects coated pit function by lowering intracellular ATP. We found that although this protocol lowers intracellular ATP by 40-70%, when ATP concentrations are lowered 〉 95% by metabolic inhibitors, receptor-mediated endocytosis is unaffected.
Additional Material:
4 Ill.
Type of Medium:
Electronic Resource
URL:
http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/jcp.1041240303
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